Shibuya Street Crossing in Tokyo, Japan
This week’s photo comes from the insanely busy streets of Shibuya in Tokyo.
The famous Shibuya pedestrian scramble, also known as an “X” Crossing or diagonal crossing, is located in front of the bustling Shibuya Station Hachikō exit and stops vehicles in all directions, allowing hundreds (if not thousands) of people to flood into the intersection.
It’s quite the sight, best viewed from the upstairs of the world’s busiest Starbucks that overlooks the heavily populated intersection. We put together a short video from our trip to Japan that does a great job showcasing the world’s busiest intersection (click here to view the video).
Read our other popular posts from Japan:
- 17 Weird and Interesting Photos from Japan
- City Spolight on Kyoto, Japan
- Travels in Japan: Our Japanese Experience
Where is the busiest street crossing you’ve experienced?
Share your story in the comments section below, we’d love to hear about it!
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Cameron and Nicole Wears are Canadian married couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 50 countries on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
Wow! That’s insane! I wonder why anyone would choose to drive in that area. Your video shows how busy it really is, but people do seem to cross in a somewhat orderly fashion. How long does it take for everyone to get across?
Carolyn recently posted..Staying warm in Sydney
It’s actually very organized, and pedestrians obey the rules, which helps. Surprisingly, we didn’t see a lot of vehicle traffic in Tokyo (relatively speaking). The metro system is so good that most people take transit, hence the reason for such massive crowds
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Flying Over Belize in a Tiny Cessna Airplane
Wow, amazing! We will be there next year and I cant wait to see it in person.
Have fun Matt! Japan is incredible. You’ll love it!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Pictures from the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
Oh! What a crowded place! I really wonder how people move through such places. It makes me faint but I have been through such places once or twice. After one or two experiences, I never dared to do so.
Rosalia recently posted..Como engordar : algunas soluciones por video
Tokyo is certainly not for people that hate small spaces and crowds!
Hi!
I am really scared of moving in such crowded places. I wonder how claustrophobic people might be feeling. It is really difficult to move and many people shop happily even in such places.
Steve recently posted..Some Stress Relief Games Reduce Anxiety
I’m not a huge fan of small places or crowds either, so I found it quite overwhelming at times. But the flow of people is constant, so as long as you take it in stride you should be fine.
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Escape to Galiano in BC’s Southern Gulf Islands
Whoa…. is it always like this? Or just at rush hour or whatever? I’m pretty sure this would induce an anxiety attack for me, lol.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Photo of the Week: Night View of Prague’s Most Famous Bridge
It’s always like that!
And this is just one of hundreds of similar intersections in Japan!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Europe’s 10 Most Fascinating Train Stations
That’s just crazy. Imagine having to be a traffic cop at that intersection
The Travel Fool recently posted..Tourists and How to Spot Them
Hah – indeed! Although, the Japanese are very respectful people and they seem obey the rules, so I don’t think its necessary
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Flying Over Belize in a Tiny Cessna Airplane
Great picture. I have heard a lot of this intersection. I hope to go there one day!
Sebastian @ off-the-path.com recently posted..Scavenger Hunt Photo Of The Day: Sun rays over the Bosporus
Thanks Sebastian, it’s definitely a site worth seeing if you find yourself in Tokyo!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..13 Awesome Miniature Photos from Around the World
And I thought Times Square was bad! I agree with Christy…I’m pretty sure I would have a mental breakdown.
Rachael Sena recently posted..Water is a luxury in many travel destinations
haha… it’s certainly comparable to New York’s Times Square
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Our Greatest Adventure has Finally Started!
I have a funny story about this intersection. I ran into someone as we were both crossing the busy intersection. We had met years back very briefly, so it was more of Oh hey! Familiar face! Flash forward to several years later back in San Francisco, there’s one of those party bus type trolleys parked outside of a party I’m about to leave. Turns out it was that same guy’s bachelor party on the trolley!
suki recently posted..On Shyness
Small world! Funny how random encounters happen
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Our Greatest Adventure has Finally Started!
Oooooh Shibuya! I remembered this place when I was in Tokyo a few years back….it was really really really busy and crowded!! I am with you on this being the world’s busiest intersection, wow, it’s really easy to lose yourself in the crowd…LOL!
Christy recently posted..Sneak Preview into the Prequel of my Honeymoon
Indeed. I couldn’t image trying to find someone if you’ve lost them.
It’s quite remarkable how the the flow of people never seems to stop. This photo was taken around 10:00 PM!
Wow! Can vehicles still cross on that street? I wonder how they manage to move both the people and the vehicles. They must have a really efficient system.
I imagine it must be very confusing for first time visitors. It’s so easy to get lost in that crowd. It’s like being swept by a powerful wave.
Hope I get to see this myself in person.
Theresa Torres recently posted..Holiday Travel Deals
where’s that people came from big crowded
natharn recently posted..Live in bedroom
Not the right place to be when late for an important business meeting. *keep memo*
I can’t imagine cars crossing through that thing…
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Tech Trippin | Essential Travel Gadgets
Great reminder of Japan. All lined up at the pedestrian crossing, just waiting for the lights to change…then a huge wave of humanity rolls towards you!
Jim recently posted..This Moment: Fri 25th Nov.
Japan is a wonderful country to visit. It’s a shame it’s got so insanely expensive for so many of us who don’t earn Yens.
Dan recently posted..More Photos of Cute Japanese Girls